Hello all you experts out there, On reading various sources I have understood that on becoming part of the SAS an ordinary soldier's rank was changed to Pct. What does the abbreviation stand for? I also notice that in the case of those unfortunate SAS men who lost their lives, they are remembered by CWGC with their original rank. Thanks in anticipation, Vitellino
Pct is short for Parachutist Janet and was the early SAS' equivalent to Private. It was used until early 1945 when this rank was changed to Trooper, which it remains. As this was a regimental arrangement, and many men of the wartime SAS were attached from their parent units, they retained their parent unit rank system when logged by the CWGC, such as Bombardier for members of the RA etc. Hope that helps, Skip